Gospel Rescue Mission is shelter for inclement weather

Sun-News report

Posted:
01/04/2013 04:48:46 PM MST

LAS CRUCES — Although emergency shelters didn't have to be utilized because of Thursday's snow storms, there still was a notable increase in people staying at the Gospel Rescue Mission, 1050 W. Amador Ave.

LuAnne Burke, Gospel Rescue Mission community outreach assistant, said 80 people stayed at the mission Thursday night. That's slightly more than 56 percent of the 142-bed capacity at the mission.

Staying at the mission were seven women, one child, and 72 men. With temperatures expected to plunge into the 20s Friday night, more people were expected to stay there.

"There's probably going to be more people here," Burke said.

The mission is open 24 hours a day. Three meals a day are offered to people who need them, whether they stay at the mission or not. Breakfast is served at 6 a.m., lunch at 11:45 a.m. and dinner at 5:15 p.m.

Donations to help mission operations are needed. Burke said there is a specific need for blankets.

"We reached a point where we ran out of blankets and suggested to people that they consider putting hot water into plastic water bottles and use that to help heat what they were using to keep them warm at night," Burke said. "Families need blankets."

For Christmas, the mission was able to provide toys to 789 children, and 70 food boxes to down-on-their-luck families.

"It was incredible," Burke said. "Each child received a gift that was worth about $12. Families had the choice of a large gift or a food box. The food boxes went right away because families were more interested in food than gifts.